Hayley Turner Continues to Break Records in Horse Racing
Jockey Hayley Turner has been a trailblazer for female riders in her sport and despite being 40 years old now, she continues to break records. When she rode Tradesman to victory at Chelmsford recently, she recorded the 1000th winner of her career.
The 1000th milestone is something only a small club of jockeys have achieved in their career. Turner is the first female rider to do so, but given how many female jockeys are now involved in the sport, she is unlikely to be the last.
Turner Will Have Big Targets In 2024
Turner is set to continue in the saddle in 2024 for another season. She has won some of the biggest races in the sport, but she will still dream of prevailing in a British Classic, particularly the Derby. where City Of Troy is the 9/4 favourite in the betting on racing online market for the 2024 renewal.
The most successful UK female Flat jockey in history has been riding for 23 years now and she remains one of the most trusted riders in the country. The former Champion Apprentice Jockey was awarded an OBE in 2016 for her services to horse racing.
Century Of Winners In 2008
Turner’s best year of her career so far came in 2008 when she became the first female rider to have 100 winners in a calendar year. She achieved that feat on the 30th of December when partnered Mullitovermaurice to victory at Wolverhampton with just a day spare.
Among those 100 winners, there were major handicap successes at Ascot, Chester and Doncaster for the rider from Newmarket. She has also had international triumph, as she won her maiden Group race in Germany on board Lady Deauville in the Lando-Trophy at Frankfurt Racecourse.
Two Group One Winners In 2011
In what was an excellent reward for her hard work and consistently in the saddle, Turner rode her first Group One winner in 2011, the highest grade of race in the sport. She took the first prize in the July Cup at Newmarket on board Dream Ahead.
Turner did not have to wait long for a second Group One win as it came a month later in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York with Margot Did. That race at the Ebor Meeting is one of the most prestigious sprint races of the season.
Retirement In 2015 Followed by U-Turn
At the end of 2015, Turner opted to retire and go into broadcasting in the sport. She had a successful spell with ITV Racing, however; she returned to the saddle in 2018. A year after her return, she rode her first Royal Ascot winner in 2019.
Turner still does some part-time punditry work for ITV Racing when she is not riding. They see her as an excellent asset for their channel in their coverage of the major Flat meetings.
With her 1000th winner now behind her, Turner will be hoping 2024 is the best year of her career yet, and it would be no surprise to see her win some big races.
